Average power rating of opponents played: HOUSTON 18.7, INDIANAPOLIS 23

SCHEDULE AND RESULTS

HOUSTON - Season Results

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Team Stats

Opp Stats

Date

Opponent

Score

SU

Line

ATS

Tot.

O/U

Rushing

Passing

TO

Rushing

Passing

TO

9/9/2018

@ NEW ENGLAND

20-27

L

6.5

L

49

U

34-167

17-34-158

2

31-122

26-39-267

3

9/16/2018

@ TENNESSEE

17-20

L

-3

L

41

U

26-148

22-32-289

1

34-100

15-22-183

0

9/23/2018

NY GIANTS

22-27

L

-6.5

L

44

O

19-59

24-40-368

2

27-114

25-29-265

0

9/30/2018

@ INDIANAPOLIS

10/7/2018

DALLAS

10/14/2018

BUFFALO

10/21/2018

@ JACKSONVILLE

10/25/2018

MIAMI

INDIANAPOLIS - Season Results

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Team Stats

Opp Stats

Date

Opponent

Score

SU

Line

ATS

Tot.

O/U

Rushing

Passing

TO

Rushing

Passing

TO

9/9/2018

CINCINNATI

23-34

L

0

L

47.5

O

22-75

39-53-305

2

20-101

21-28-229

2

9/16/2018

@ WASHINGTON

21-9

W

6

W

48

U

28-104

21-31-177

2

22-65

33-46-269

1

9/23/2018

@ PHILADELPHIA

16-20

L

6.5

W

45

U

13-68

25-41-141

0

35-152

25-37-227

2

9/30/2018

HOUSTON

10/4/2018

@ NEW ENGLAND

10/14/2018

@ NY JETS

10/21/2018

BUFFALO

10/28/2018

@ OAKLAND

KEY GAME INFORMATION

HOUSTON: Head coach Bill O'Brien overhauled his offense mid-season to fit then-rookie QB Deshaun Watson's strengths, and Watson answered with an electrifying five-game run leading up to his torn ACL. Houston relied on a lot of misdirection that may not be as effective after opponents have an offseason of film study. WR DeAndre Hopkins is football's best contested catch artist, though the rest of the Texans skill-position players have been inconsistent. Injuries are partly to blame for Houston's league-worst 27 PPG allowed. DE J.J. Watt and LB Whitney Mercilus, both of whom missed 11 games in 2017, are key to making Houston's five-across-the-line pass-rush work. Their presence also frees up DL Jadeveon Clowney to avoid double-teams and wreak havoc. The secondary is not built to hold up if the pass-rush isn't getting home, though the addition of former Cardinals S Tyrann Mathieu may help a bit.

INDIANAPOLIS: New head coach Frank Reich's most important task is to keep QB Andrew Luck healthy. Indy drafted G Quenton Nelson 6th overall and signed former Chargers G Matt Slauson in an attempt to protect their only star player, though Luck's receiving corps is extremely thin behind WR T.Y. Hilton. The expected improvement of the line should help the running game, which includes some promising young RBs in Marlon Mack and Jordan Wilkins. New coordinator Matt Eberflus will run a 4-3, zone-based defense that emphasizes athleticism. The problem is that he inherits arguably the worst defensive roster in recent NFL history. Aside from second-year S Malik Hooker and competent DE Jabaal Sheard, there simply isn't much to work with. The Colts ranked 30th in both yards and points allowed last year, and made no significant personnel additions in the offseason.

PREVIEW

Colts look for elusive finishing kick against Texans

While the Indianapolis Colts overhauled their coaching staff in the offseason, one glaring trend has continued under head coach Frank Reich.

This team is still struggling to finish games.

Last year's 4-12 team led at halftime in nine games but won just twice. This year's Colts (1-2) have had fourth-quarter leads in all three games but been outscored 27-10 in the final 15 minutes. The most recent disappointment was a 20-16 loss at Philadelphia.

Enter the surprisingly winless Houston Texans (0-3), who visit Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday in dire need of a win against their AFC South Division hosts. While the Colts, on paper, are better in many ways than a year ago, they can ill afford another late collapse.

"We know everybody emphasizes (that) everybody is desperate," Reich said. "They are desperate for a win. Every team is desperate for a win."

The good news is the Colts are only one game behind the Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars (both 2-1) in the division. But the Colts are on the road for three of the next four after this game, which makes winning at home even more important.

"I think we can probably look back and say if we hit a couple more chunks in a couple of the first games, then maybe that swings the tide in a way," said Colts quarterback Andrew Luck, referring to a sluggish offense that's been too dependent upon short-range pass plays.

"We can always get better and I don't think I am anywhere near scratching the surface of realizing my full potential, if that makes sense."

The Texans are coming off a disappointing 27-22 home loss to the previously winless New York Giants. But quarterback Deshaun Watson leads an eighth-ranked offense with big-play capability, most notably with Pro Bowl star receiver DeAndre Hopkins.

In addition, defensive end J.J. Watt is beginning to round into form after missing significant time the last two seasons because of injuries. The three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year recorded eight tackles, four for losses, three sacks and four quarterback hits with one forced fumble Sunday, dominating the Giants.

Watt is encouraged by his progress, but not satisfied.

"I think it's coming back little by little," Watt said. "I think last game it started to show up on the stat line more maybe than it did the first couple games, but I think it's still a work in progress. I still have a lot to improve on and get better at. I'm by no means where I want to be yet, but we're getting there."

Watt recorded his first sacks since a Sept. 18, 2016 game against the Kansas City Chiefs. He has 79 career sacks.

"He did a great job," Texans head coach Bill O'Brien said. "Did a really good job against the running game, played hard, excellent job pass rush."

Watt and Co. will look to keep Luck in control. Although Luck has attempted 124 passes, he's completed just five for 20 or more yards. He averaged a career-low 4.1 yards per completion in 40 pass attempts against the Eagles.

Because he missed last season due to right shoulder surgery, that's prompted questions about his arm strength.

"I know I am at a level where I can make all the throws and I feel confident that I am going out there with my full arsenal, if that makes sense," he said. "I don't think anything is physically holding me back."

A Colts defense led by the standout play of rookie weakside linebacker Darius Leonard has been better than many expected. A 21-9 win at Washington in Week 2 marked the first time the Colts had held an opponent without a touchdown since 2016. Then last week, those same Redskins scored 31 in a double-digit win over visiting Green Bay.

Meanwhile, injuries are affecting Houston's receiving corps. At Wednesday's practice, one day after placing Bruce Ellington on injured reserve, the Texans' receiving corps was banged up. Every wide receiver on the active roster was limited in practice except for rookie Vyncint Smith.

Hopkins is on the injury report with thumb, ankle and hamstring injuries. Will Fuller V, Keke Coutee and Sammie Coates are still dealing with hamstring injuries.